Police seek information about alleged drive-by shooting attempt in Weirs Beach

WEIRS BEACH — Police are investigating an alleged drive-by shooting attempt over Labor Day Weekend on Tower Street.

Officers searched a vehicle at a local residence, but no charges have been filed.

Police responded to a report of someone firing a gun out their car window near Lakeside Avenue, at 12:39 a.m. on Sept. 5. Chief Matt Canfield said a witness in a parking lot told police someone in a white Volvo fired a gun at them as it sped up Tower Street. Nobody was hit, and Canfield said at least one shot was fired.

Canfield said a K9 unit trained to track shell casings was sent to the scene, and one casing was found on Tower Street. After speaking with witnesses, police obtained a warrant for the vehicle believed to be involved.

The vehicle was located at a Cotton Hill Road home, and police searched it.

Canfield said there was no indication of incidents leading up to the shots fired. Canfield said The Big House, on Lakeside Avenue, is open until 2 a.m. and still had patrons inside.

Meghan Doptis, manager of The Big House, told The Laconia Daily Sun nobody at the nightclub knew about the incident until there was a noticeable police presence around the corner.

Doptis said someone came to the club after the incident to tell them the police were in front of the Weirs United Methodist Church parking lot, about 500 feet away. She said Tower Street was blocked off at the corner by police after midnight.

The Big House issued a statement on Monday, denouncing violent behavior and stressing community safety.

“We were very concerned to learn about the incident that occurred at the other end of the block on Tower Street,” the statement reads. “We absolutely do not condone this type of behavior anywhere in our community. The safety of our guests, our employees, and the surrounding community is extremely important to us, which is exactly why we make security a priority. We are disappointed that an incident like this occurred in our neighborhood. We care deeply about this community, and we continue doing everything within our control to provide a safe and responsible environment at The Big House.”

The Big House had unrelated plans to meet Canfield Tuesday to discuss the summer and future plans for the nightclub, and Doptis expected to be discussing this incident, as well.

Canfield does not believe there is a danger to the public, and is seeking the public’s help in gathering more information.

“I am not sure what we recovered for video evidence, but I am sure there is video we can take a look at,” Canfield said.

Anyone with information should call the Laconia Police Department at 603-524-5257.

To send an anonymous tip, or find a link to download the Laconia Police Department mobile app, visit laconianh.gov/873/Submit-a-Tip.